Serena and Ryria
Time: Day 1 for shore leave
Location: Medbay on Nexus
Serena walked up to the medbay doors, whistling cheerfully to herself. They had some free few hours to spend, late a night of course, and Ryria was back in the medbay. The asari had been seemingly doing her best to pretend that the Apex team was only a temporary distraction from the Medbay and hadn’t really interacted with the rest of the team much. Least of all Serena and the rest of those who had been on Fireteam 2. Serena herself didn’t know what happened in the lab with the research assistants, but from Dex’s short replies and general look, she guessed Ryria’s icy professionalism had come to forefront again. Ryria seemed to naturally be cold and icy, even when they were supposed to be taking a few short minutes to relax in the barracks.
Well, only way to change that is by starting to slowly melt the ice. In literally the only place she is when she’s not with us.She walked through the doors and quickly found Ryria, walking up to the asari with a friendly smile.
”Hey Ryria! I’ve come to help with your duties on the medbay. You’re here an awful lot, and I figured two pairs of hands have got to better than one, right? So, where do you want me to start?”Ryria’s eyes flickered across the dim screen. She was filing the office documents of those recently revived into the proper folders, double checking each placement. She heard the door open, but she paid it little mind until she heard Mathews’ voice speak to her. Wordless, her figure pushed away from her computer to fully stand.
Her figure turned to face the human machinist with a icy glance, sizing her up, before finally correcting Mathews,
“T’Vessi, we’re only associates and on the same team during missions.”Not giving much pause between her prior and next words, she continued.
“Do you have any medical background that quality you for assisting in the medbay? As far as I’ve seen, your specialization lies in machines and drones. Not individuals’ anatomy.” She ignored Ryria’s correction.
Yeah, like I’m going to pay any attention to that detail. “I’ve got basic medical training from the Alliance, plus what I picked up on ten or so years of merc work, the ability to follow orders you give without question and steady hands, general machine knowledge to fix, repair, and tune up any of this,” she gestured towards all of the machinery around them,
“that might break, experience with VI's and Drones and whatever programs you might be using to see inside someone and get a general idea of damage, and if literally all else fails I can hand you tools and do the menial work you won't want to waste time on.” She gave a small shrug.
“I want to get to know you better and this seems like the best place to do it.” “Not many would find a medbay as the best place to get to know others. Beyond APEX, there’s little reason for us to get to know each other. We already function fine in the field, outside of it doesn’t increase or decrease that performance.” Ryria stated firm and indifferently, using logic to chase Serena off.
”And yet you spend most of your time here, so unless you have another suggestion I’m just going to have to make do aren’t I?” She snorted lightly at Ryria’s attempt to get rid of her. It was funny in a cold way.
“Unfortunately for you, my motivation isn’t functioning fine in the field or our performance, so that’s not gonna get rid of me. Nice try though, I appreciate the effort.” “Fine, you can stay on two conditions,” Ryria began as she raised her forefinger,
“First, you don’t bring your drones in here. It’s hard to tell when a patient will arrive with an emergency and no one needs to waste precious time walking around your drones.” She held up a second finger and final finger,
“You keep your lips shut. I’ve work to do and unlike you, I have no luxury for chit-chat. When I’m not in APEX, I need to assist the other medical staff here. Do we have an understanding?” Serena raised an eyebrow at Ryria.
“Fair enough on the first point, though it should be noted that the drones float. So they could super easily be near the ceiling and out of the way, but hey, your medbay your rules.” She grinned at the Asari, shaking her head.
“No can do on the second part. I came here to get to know you, so either you set aside time after you get off of here to have a friendly chat with me, or you put up with my questions and chatter when you’re not in another conversation or busy with a patient.” She glanced at the computer screen Ryria had been working on.
“Which, no offense, seems most of the time around here. Don’t worry, we’ll have a grand old time together.”Ryria appeared about to open her mouth, but stopped herself. Her head lowered to pinch her nose bridge between her fingers. The pain helping to distract her from trying to waste more time or energy, finding the conversation leading nowhere.
“If I muster up an hour after work, will that be enough? Only an hour. Push for more, I’ll have your lips stitched up before you realize it.” ”An hour every day and we have a deal. I’ll be silent as the lambs during medbay work time and you’ll answer my questions and put a good effort into making a conversation for that hour.” Serena smiled, somewhat smugly, and stuck out a hand.
”Deal? “Fine,” Ryria replied then pointed to the stacks of boxes,
“Move those over there, remove the contents, and compare the label of each one. Finally sort them into the proper cabinets. Let’s see how you handle manual labor before allowing you to help with the patients.” With those orders, Ryria moved back to her computer to categorize the data properly.
Serena chuckled lightly as the asari abruptly walked off, leaving her outstretched hand in the air. She looked over at the turian nurse snickering over in the corner, trying and failing to look like she was studying something on her omni-tool. Serena shrugged goodnaturedly.
“I’m sure we’ll get to the major milestones of ‘simple touching like handshakes and accidental bumps are okay’ in short ordered. I’ve got nothing but time anyway, eh?” The Turian laughed harder, trying to stifle her amusement at Serena's assumptions. After a few moments, her laughter died and she straightened herself.
"No, you won't. I suggest you just forget it for the time being and just focus on breaking past her icy defenses," The Turian commented.
”Ah, but the best way to get past such a defense is to keep on pushing. I can be pretty persistent you know. Besides, having shot at and been shot at by enemies helps melt things, I find. We’ll see though, hmm?”“Ryria’s always been against anyone touching her unless she does it first. Not really sure why, but I never considered prying. So good luck with that. Name’s Surerax Leneiros by the way, welcome to the medbay,” Surerax said as she extended her hand, shaking Serena’s then passed her the first box.
“Best we get to work quickly before Ryria gets upset and tries to do it herself. She likes to pile things on her to do list when she feels nothing’s getting done or needs to be done faster…”
”I’ll keep my hugs of greeting and joy for someone else then.” Serena said dryly, before smiling and, stretching as she headed over to the indicated boxes, whistling a cheerful tune.
Two days laterSerena sat down on the steps of the medbay looking expectantly up at the asari.
“Alright Ryria, lets keep the theme of simple things for questions going; Favorite color and planet from the Milky Way? I know from your dossier that you went to quite a few in your time.”Ryria exited out of the medbay, right at her usual time, then noticed Serena. She sighed mentally before she took a seat near enough that she could socialize,
“Ice blue and any cold planet, my homeworld being the top one.” “Hmm. I was certain you’d have chosen a color other than the one most people assume asari like.” Serena said, her eye changing to an icy blue as she spoke.
“And that means you should just love Voeld, if we ever get shipped to it.” “You asked a question, I gave an honest answer. Assuming tends to lead people to make an ass of themselves when the real answer is revealed,” Ryria pointed out, noticing the shift in eye color but not drawing attention to it. It was likely her biotics at play in some fashion.
She continued, targeting the woman’s mention of Voeld,
“I doubt it’s too much colder than Trategos. The planet was a frozen wasteland that would devour you with its frostbitten teeth if you were stupid. So we will see.” It was just an observation. You seem to go against most asari stereotypes, so I figured that one was something you’d go against too” She chuckled lightly, eye changing to a warm red.
”We’ll see about that Ryria. From the Pathfinder’s and Angaran’s reports, Voeld’s frozen wasteland isn’t natural and is all out of whack and extreme. Even your natural coolness might find it a bit too much. We may even have to pack extra heating.” Serena shrugged lightly.
But hey, snowball fights! Everyone likes snowball fights.” She glanced curiously at Ryria.
”Do asari have snowball fights?” “If you want to freeze to death, yes. Most of my time was in doors and keeping to myself,” Ryria’s tone became slightly different. More distant and hollow at recalling her home life, her eyes turned away from Serena to look at bodies moving to their daily tasks.
Serena, noticing Ryria with the all too familiar look of someone remembering a past they’d rather not, attempted to steer the conversation away.
”Well, since I don’t want to freeze to death I think we’ll just have to find something else to occupy ourselves then, won’t we? What do you do aside from hit Kett with remarkably lethal accuracy and help people in the medbay? Like hobbies or little entertaining things you do. I personally love and know how to dance, like to garden though I kill most plants I try to make live and…” She leaned in conspiratorially, though not close enough to make Ryria uncomfortable,
“I’m sure I’ve hid it well, but I’m a massive nerd. Play video games and what not whenever I get the chance. I brought a few thousand downloaded over on my omni-tool.” She winked at Ryria.
“Our secret.”Leaning back, she continued. “So, what do you like to do for hobbies or simple enjoyment?”
“It’s hard to have hobbies when you don’t have much free time. On duty I sketched out animals and plants, collecting information and pieces of them. Especially when it’s somewhere new,” Pausing, Ryria recalled something then brought up her omnitool quickly. She typed in a reminder for a new book designed for wildlife expedition and scrapbooking before pulling her arm down.
“I also read exploration and fiction novels because it’s healthier to read about someone else running into danger, rather than yourself.” ”Makes sense.” Serena nodded, before pointing something out.
”You don’t appear to have followed that philosophy very keenly. I mean, there’s few things that are more dangerous than running headfirst into the unknown on the hope that one new galaxy no one has ever set foot in is better than the old.” ”Why did you come to Andromeda?” “A mixture of fresh start and promise of new ventures. It’s just who I am now and I enjoy it, even when it’s an unhealthy lifestyle. The thrill of seeing thing for the first time,” Ryria let a small flicker of a smile cross over the corner of her mouth as she spoke,
“It’s hard to describe unless you’ve actually done it. That adrenaline rush never really leaves you. I just didn’t think I would be doing it while trying to fight a war…” Her enthusiasm died at reference to the Kett.
”Hey, don’t let that get you down. We all knew violence was a heavy chance and price to pay for coming here. It’s been rough, but don’t let that drown out the good things that are happening. We’ve made Eos inhabitable, we get to wake up to gorgeous desert sunrises and go to sleep to sparkling alien stars.” “As I said, my primary task was patching up individuals on the Nexus or helping to establish a new homestead. Not playing medic to soldiers. If I had managed to save the original medic, I wouldn’t be apart of APEX,” Ryria pointed out.
”None of us wanted to be apart of APEX, Ryria. I dreamed of starting a mech shop and helping colonists with labor through that. Dex wanted to set up a theatre group, maybe deal some light Private Investigating. Haze wanted to explore the new stars for the Initiative, maybe as a Pathfinder scout. Sabinius and Tanya, his wife and my friend, wanted to live quietly together. Clyff just wanted to raise his daughter. You’re not the only one who regrets being here. I am sorry that you were drafted into this out of necessity, but I’m not sorry that you’re here.” “Still, in the end it’s my own fault I’m here. So I’ll pay my time and tolerate it until things change,” Ryria said before Serena interjected herself.
”Before we go to far down that rabbit hole, Ryria, I’ve read your dossier. I’ve known you for only three days, but I can assure you, if you couldn’t save the original medic, no one can. You were selected because you’re the best. You were a second choice only because, as you’ve repeatedly pointed out, you didn’t want this. You did everything anyone could have done Ryria, and no one could have done better. Don’t dwell on the past, yeah? It never helps, believe me. I’ve tried that too.” “I’ve been living with the past for a long time. It’s written on my face and crest in the form of permanent disfigurement. Every time I look in the mirror, it’s there. Not dwelling is very hard when you see it every day,” Ryria’s tone became ice cold and resistant to Serena’s words, her eyes locked on the human.
“As for the medic, until the medical records state otherwise… I was the acting physician and the one responsible for her life. No amount of empathy can erase that fact.””Mm. Have you read any of our dossiers? No, I don’t think you would have had time for that.” Serena spoke calmly, unfazed by the sudden change to ice.
“ In my time with the Alliance, I worked in their Spec Ops division. Unbeknownst to me, my commander had sold out to various organizations, including the Batarian Hegemony, and was using me and my partners as mules for his information deals. Expendable mules. I lost eight partners over those years. Eight men and women who I was responsible for keeping alive.
Spencer, Omar, Hannah, An, Soban, Silus, Barat. They all died, and I lived. Spencer got hit with a sniper to the head while I was hacking. Hannah got dragged back by a Batarian harpoon when I went to save a civilian. Omar threw me out of the way and caught the rocket meant for me. An died in my arms, blood filling his lungs after his armor got punctured by shrapnel from an exploding tank. Soban died holding a door so I could grab the intel we were supposedly after. Silus got stabbed through the chest while saving me from a Talon merc. Barat shielded me with his body as a dozen grenades went off in the room around us.” She looked over and matched Ryria’s gaze unflinchingly.
”Not a day goes by that I don’t look in the mirror and remember each and every one of their deaths. Not a day goes by where I’m not reminded that if had just been a little faster, a little tougher, a little stronger, they would still be alive. Believe me Ryria, I am well aware of what it's like to be reminded of your past and your failures day after day. And I know what it's like to analyze the situation over and over again, thinking about what you could have done and what you should have done. I’m not telling you ‘don’t dwell on the past’ as if you hadn’t tried, or that you simply could just do that. I’m telling you because fighting to do that is the only thing that gets you to the end of the road. Because the other option is much, much worse.”Serena sighed, leaning back.
”You may think I’m just an idiot human talking out of my ass, that in your centuries of experience I’ll just be another annoying blip along the way. And you may be right. But while I’m here as that annoying blip, I do genuinely care for you and want to be your friend. So at least trust that my advice, if wrong in your eyes, is well intentioned.” “Personally, I think you’re wasting your time. You and I are strangers, it makes little sense for you to actually put this much effort into getting to know me,” Ryria commented, correcting her.
Serena snorted.
”Would it shock you to find out you’re not the first person to tell me that?” “No, it does not.” She was quiet for a moment, before shaking herself lightly.
”Well, now that we’ve gone that depressing rabbit hole anyways, lets try something more light hearted. Any conversation suggestions?” “You’re the one that wanted to do these conversational sessions. I believe it’s your responsibility to have the topics on hand for the occasion.” ”And I believe you agreed to help put effort into making an actual conversation. You should have back up conversational starters in case mine run dry.” Serena smiled at Ryria, before remembering something.
”Ryria, you’ve spent over 18 hours at this place haven’t you?” “If I didn’t make an effort, my sentences would be shorter,” Ryria said with light sarcasm in her tone, her expression tightening at the new subject,
“Yes. I was woken up when we encountered the Kett, my pod was damaged during the collision and I was quickly revived to treat the wounded.” ”Nonono, I meant during our shore leave. Right now. In these three days we have. You’ve spent most of it here, correct?” “Between here and my temporary quarters, yes.” ”That’s what I thought.” Ryria was certainly a workaholic, even if she wasn’t obsessed with it as others were. Serena stood up and stretched.
”Come on then. Lets walk around the Nexus, see if we can’t find a quiet spot to do something other than work. Maybe play a board or word game, eh?” She looked at Ryria expectantly, eye changing back to its normal pink color.
“Very well, through honestly the Nexus is no different than any other ship I’ve been on,” Ryria commented then rose up onto her feet. She eyed Serena up suspiciously before gesturing the human to lead the way.
”Where’s the trust Ryri? I’m not gonna take you to a strip club. The strip club, I suppose.” Serena laughed, hiding her inner victory at actually getting the closed off Asari to agree.
Ryria frowned hard at the crude butchering of her name.
”And you’re right, the nexus is basically every other space station but without the pretty amenities. But as there’s no neat animals to sketch and record, unless you want to draw the nexus inhabitants, we’ll have to make do with a walk and a quiet place.”She lead the way through the nexus, stepping lightly and cheerfully, idly commenting on the things they saw. Eventually they found a relatively empty spot, overlooking the stars and scourge.
”Here will do.” Serena sat down, then looked at Ryria all-too-casually.
”So. Ryri. Would you happen to know how to play Chess?” “Too busy surviving and there was little down time, so I never learned,” Ryria said honestly, her figure leaned against the railing.
Her eyes looked up into the pitch blackness they grinded through bring a slight awe to her heart. It never reached her expression. She twisted about, resting her side on it, then asked.
“Why did you ask?” ”I could teach you, if you’d like. It seems like it’d be a game you’d like. And I’ve been looking for a good opponent. ” Serena offered, trying and failing to not appear too eager.
”Though I gotta confess that I’m surprised you even know what it is, most non-earth natives don’t.”
Ryria pulled back slightly, wary of the offer. Her eyes narrowed as she studied Serena for a moment to determine something. She gradually relaxed then slipped her arms under her chest, once more leaning against the railing.
“I’ve had to treat a few humans. One in particular was dying from a parasite that we caught late. The damage had already been done. Most her life was spent in and of the clinic, often being observed until the end of her life,” Ryria tilted her head up slightly, staring into the starry skies.
“During my visits between Texon’s assignments, she taught me a bit about Earth’s culture whenever she had the energy. She often used a metaphor she called ‘managing spoons’, Ryria’s tone became softer as she spoke,
“Each day, she had a starting amount of ‘spoons’ to spend. Every task required a spoon and she had to decide, each day, where each spoon should go.” She let the quiet settle in her moment of weakness before she finished up,
“I was grateful she gave me one during every visit. Even when she could’ve used it for something more essential.” ”That’s really sweet Ryri.” Serena said earnestly. She knew the asari had a softer side, hiding behind all the glacier. Del rounded the corner, carrying one of Serena’s chess boards in his omni-lashes. Serena exclaimed in mock surprise at the sight,
”Oh, how convenient! This drone that is completely unrelated to me is bringing a chessboard for us! Would you like to play with this surprise gift Ryri? This is why we came to this place after all.” “Convenience my ass, you planned this. Ryria said with a slight low key accusation in her voice.
Serena swooned in mock surprise, hand going to her heart as she leaned back.
”Me? Plan something as well executed and impeccably charming as this? Preposterous! Truly madame, you wound me. I would never try something so smoothly irresistible as this on someone as stoic as yourself. But, since the board is already here…” She held her hands up in a helpless manner as Del put the board in front of them. She turned it on by flicking a switch on the side, holographic pieces rising in their places.
”Where’s the harm in a game?” “This wasn’t part of our agreement and you know it,” Ryria pointed out, through the ice in her tone had faded slightly.
Her body leaned away from Mathews as she crossed her arms over her chest, a defensive posture to the offer of a game. Despite the charade, Ryria didn’t believe it. Especially since it was poorly done to the point it was obviously a lie.
Serena held up a finger at Ryria’s protest, chuckling. She had a trick up her sleeve, just for this occasion.
”What about a new agreement, hmm?” She pulled out a small chocolate candy bar, waving it enticingly at Ryria.
”You play a game of chess with me, and I’ll give you this synthetic chocolate sweet bar. Everyone wins.” She silently thanked Surerax for tipping her off to Ryria’s weakness for sweets.
”Come onnn,” Serena coaxed, holding the candy bar just out of the asari’s reach,
”you finish the game and I give you the sweetness of the candy.”Ryria glared then closed her eyes. A long, drawn out sigh escaped her lips before she replied,
“Fine, but only one game. No more, do you understand?” ”Aha! I knew you had a sweet tooth.” Serena exclaimed smugly, setting up the pieces.
”I’ll give you a brief rundown of the rules and you can ask questions as we go. Don’t worry, I’m sure you pick it up quick. ”
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